Hi. I have three male guinea pigs, brothers who have always lived together. I'm not sure of their age as they were rescues but I think they're about two. They've always squabbled and one of them has tended to get picked on a bit but it's never been anything serious. But a week or so ago, for no reason I can see (I had been at home all day and everything was fine), they started to attack each other, proper fighting. I separated them and have tried numerous ways since to try to reunite them but the one who was getting picked on before is still being picked on but this has escalated to such an extent that he seems completely stressed out when they're together. They have a very large C&C pen which I've now put a mesh divider in but I'm thinking about the longer term. I guess my questions are: are there any tips anyone has to try to reunite them or could it be a lost cause? If they can't live together, I was thinking of getting a friend for the one who's on his own (the other two get along just fine) and getting another pen - is this a good idea? Or is a divider in the pen a better way to go, so at least he's still got his brothers for company? Any experience or suggestions that anyone is willing to share would be much appreciated! Thanks.
Two's Company.....?
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Guinea pig slave
Senior Guinea Pig
Trio's rarely work I believe, even siblings.
My first thought to this would be to try boar dating rather than take another piggy in and find your boy is intolerant of company
If there are rescues near to you, try calling them to see if he can be paired with another boar or as a last resort, consider neutering and finding him a little wifepig
My first thought to this would be to try boar dating rather than take another piggy in and find your boy is intolerant of company
If there are rescues near to you, try calling them to see if he can be paired with another boar or as a last resort, consider neutering and finding him a little wifepig
liquorice allsorts
Adult Guinea Pig
sorry, i had three males together and this happened to me, so i now have the two who got on together, and the one in a sectioned off part of the same c&c cage, he can see them, and now everything is fine, it is recommended to only keep two males together, you could boar date your lone male at a rescue centre, if you wanted to find him a friend x,
Hi! I am sorry, but once there has been serious fighting, piggies of any gender won't go back together again. Trios and quartets are sadly much more prone to fall outs than couples. You will have to find a solution that takes account of the split. Forcing them to go back together will only make them dig in their heels and is a recipe for disaster.
It would be great if you would consider finding a rescue that will "boar date" your single boy, so he can choose his own new friend himself - mutual liking and character compatibility make for a much more stable relationship. It is a myth that adult boars can't be rebonded, provided that proper care is taken!
It would be great if you would consider finding a rescue that will "boar date" your single boy, so he can choose his own new friend himself - mutual liking and character compatibility make for a much more stable relationship. It is a myth that adult boars can't be rebonded, provided that proper care is taken!
Stacey
Junior Guinea Pig
I would keep the divider there and before making a decision about getting him a friend or neutured, i would see how he is in his own section of the cage. When i got my first 2 boys who are brothers and have been together since birth, they lasted 2 weeks together before they starting fighting and poor dexter got his ear ripped off. Dexter was the one who got picked on too. We were going to re-introduce them but they were so much happier themselfs we kept them that way. With Dexter when he was alone, it was like you could see the relief in his wee face that he was alone. I felt like the wee soul had to watch his back a bit when he lived with Darwin. Then we seen our 3rd boy in the P@H adoption bit and apart from falling so in love with him we thought he would get on with atleast 1 of the others but he never and we spent months trying to introduce them. I think some Guinea Pigs are meant to live on their own. I would let him decide. If he's happy being in his own part of the cage then keep it that way, if he's showing signs on being lonely then i would do the boar dating, if you have that option (where i live i dont). With my boys, they will always be on their own because they are happy, they are side by side and can still touch and talk, just not enough to harm each other. I have always felt guilty mine live alone because they like to live in groups, but they are happy and i think thats the main thing
liquorice allsorts
Adult Guinea Pig
my boar who is on his own seems very happy too, he can see and smell the other two through the c&c grid parting them,, they talk a lot through it,, and all of them popcorn around their spaces, i also saw a look of relief on Hartleys face to be away from the squabbling.
Stacey
Junior Guinea Pig
It reminded me of when i was younger i had to share a bedroom with my sister, then we got our own rooms and you just feel so happy to have your own space 
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It reminded me of when i was younger i had to share a bedroom with my sister, then we got our own rooms and you just feel so happy to have your own space
Thats a nice way of putting it :-) ... I can't believe they don't mention in the pet shops about boars being prone to falling out. When I picked my two I asked if two males would get on or if females were a safer option and they said it didn't make a difference.
I hope everything goes well for you!
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